Eng v New Zealand 8/11/ 14 Post Match Thoughts from fans.

Well England kicked off their Autumn Internationals against the 'All Blacks' and just like the weather the game for England was good in the first half and very difficult in the second half.  A big thank you to both ExpatChief and Russell for penning their views on the match.  Both of which have their own blogs and you can check out more from them on the links below.

The New Zealand Side perform the Haka before QBE International at Twickenham - All pictures Empics

England 21 v 24 New Zealand

The All Blacks became the first team to win 400 games and this one was another case of belief in themselves and knowing they were going to win. Even on a day when their goal kicking was off and they left 12 points out there on the pitch they still had enough.

This was yet another game where the second half decided the outcome. England really took it to them in the first half and were deservedly up at halftime but not up enough. This wasn’t a game where you saw the All Blacks scoring free-flowing passing tries but more possession rugby in the rain was impressive. I stat I picked up from the Egg Chasers podcast that the All Blacks claim 50% of their own kickoffs was evident in this game.

 England's Jonny May

 For England there were positives but also some glaring negatives. Jonny May pulled off a wonderful try, skinning possibly the best midfield defender in the world. But then should have offloaded to Farrell when collecting a kick through and was suspect under the highball. Care did a lot of good but his decision-making was suspect especially with his kicking. Box kicking with both your wings in the ruck means no chase and kicking the ball away when the opposition are a player down was just a waste of possession.

For ExpatChiefs full review, please follow the link.

Here's my review of the Internationals over the weekend and review of the second round of the LV=Cup,

Also a couple of other pieces I have done reviewing rugby podcasts and my weekly rugby thoughts.

Cheers ExpatChief

And For all those far from home Pommies who follow the Red Rose of England

Russell's Facebook Page here

 As Jimmy Greaves would say, to truly mix my sporting metaphors, "It's a funny old game" and it really was "a game of two halves."  

England came out of the blocks at a hell of a pace - as shown by the opening try - and the visitors barely touched the ball in the opening 10 minutes. 
It was great to go into the changing room at half time in the lead. 

But whatever the All Blacks had in their drinks bottles deep down in the bowels of Twickenham - or probably more likely, the fury of Steve Hansen's team talk - really changed the complexion of the game. 

The All Blacks looked like a different team - more clinical, more precise, more driven and decisive. And it started to pay.

England's Chris Robshaw confronts New Zealands Dane Coles during the QBE International

Even with the All Blacks down to 14 men (for a frankly dubious sin-binning of Dane Coles) and Lancaster throwing on the subs in the rain, the writing was on the wall and the warrior McCaw had lead his troops to victory once again.